Image transmission apparatus indicating a color type of the color signal transmitted

ABSTRACT

An image transmission apparatus includes circuitry for separating color image information into a plurality of color signals and transmitting the plurality of color signals. An indication device is provided for, in response to the transmission of the plurality of color signals from the transmitting circuitry, indicating which of the plurality of color signals is transmitted. The indication may include an indication of one of a R G or B signal or an indication of a monochromatic or multi-chromatic transmission.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/888,442 filedMay 28, 1992, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/772,129filed Oct. 9, 1991, now abandoned, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 07/393,660 filed Aug. 14, 1989, now abandoned,which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/052,740, filed May 20, 1987,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,604, issued Mar. 20, 1990.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus and,more particularly, to an image transmission apparatus suitable fortransmitting a still image.

2. Related Background Art

A conventional still image transmission apparatus is available in whichstill images reproduced from a magnetic sheet such as a video floppydisk are temporarily stored in an image memory and are sequentially readout according to a data transmission rate. In such an apparatus, aplurality of color signals are sequentially transmitted in units offrames. According to conventional techniques, after a transmission startcommand is given, a display is performed so as to indicate that imageinformation is being transmitted. However, a transmission color modedisplay representing which color information is sent and a displayrepresenting which frame consisting of color signals is being sent arenot performed.

If a transmission fails due to a transmission line failure, the senderdoes not understand which frame consisting of image signals was beingsent. As a result, appropriate processing cannot be performed.

An image signal and frequency-multiplexed data (to be referred to as IDdata hereinafter) associated with the image signal are stored in a videofloppy disk.

However, in a conventional transmission apparatus, the image signalreproduced from the recording medium can be transmitted, but the ID datacannot be transmitted.

The ID data is lost in the transmission of such an image signal, andthus the image signal cannot be effectively utilized on the basis of theID data.

Another conventional transmission apparatus utilizing a plate cylinderis known as a still image information transmission apparatus.

When a plurality of still images are to be transmitted in the aboveapparatus, the plate must be replaced for every transmission cycle.

Still another conventional transmission apparatus is also plausible toreproduce still image information, store it in a memory, and thentransmit the stored still image information with the time base beingchanged.

In order to send a plurality of still images in any conventionalapparatus, the reproduction position must be manually set and theinformation must be sent after manual adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an imagetransmission apparatus which solves one or all conventional problemsdescribed above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imagetransmission apparatus which allows an operator to properly check animage transmission state.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagetransmission apparatus which allows an operator to perform appropriateprocessing when a transmission failure occurs during image transmission.

In order to achieve the above objects of the present invention,according to an aspect thereof, there is provided an image transmissionapparatus for separating still image information into a plurality ofcolor signals and transmitting the plurality of color signals,comprising a display means for displaying a type of a color signalduring transmission, thereby displaying the type of the color signalduring transmission on the display means and hence allowing the operatorto properly check the transmission state.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagetransmission apparatus capable of effectively displaying an imagetransmission state.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing apparatus capable of effectively displaying the types offeature components on a monitor after an image is separated into aplurality of types of feature components.

In order to achieve these two objects of the present invention,according to another aspect thereof, there is provided an imageprocessing apparatus having a first mode for separating still imageinformation into a plurality of color signals and transmitting the colorsignals and a second mode for selecting each color signal and supplyingit to a monitor, wherein a display means displays a type of a colorsignal supplied to the monitor in the first mode and displays atransmitted color signal in the second mode, thereby performingeffective display.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagetransmission apparatus capable of appropriately controlling transmittingand receiving operations according to a transmission mode.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagetransmission apparatus capable of appropriately controlling transmittingand reception apparatuses according to a detection result that an imagesignal to be transmitted is a field or frame image signal.

In order to achieve these two objects of the present invention,according to still another aspect thereof, there are provided atransmission apparatus having a field video transmission mode fortransmitting a field image signal and a frame video transmission modefor transmitting a frame image signal, the transmission apparatus beingadapted to transmit the image signal together with a discriminationsignal representing which one of the field and frame video transmissionmodes is set, and a reception apparatus for storing the image signal ina storing means, the reception apparatus being provided with a detectingmeans for detecting the discrimination signal representing which one ofthe field and frame image signal modes is set, and control means forsetting a storage mode of the storing means on the basis of thediscrimination signal detected by the detecting means.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide atransmission apparatus capable of properly transmitting imageinformation and a data signal recorded in a recording medium when imageinformation recorded in the recording medium is to be transmitted.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, there isprovided a still image transmission apparatus wherein a still imagesignal is reproduced from a recording medium in which a still image isstored together with a data signal associated therewith, and the stillimage signal and the data signal are time-divisionally output outsidethe apparatus.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing apparatus wherein an input image signal can be properlywritten in a memory regardless of the type of image signal when it iswritten in the memory.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, accordingto still another aspect thereof, there is provided an image processingapparatus for receiving a field image signal and a frame image signalconsisting of the field image signals, comprising a discriminating meansfor discriminating that an input image signal is the field or frameimage signal, a storing means, and control means for controlling astorage state of the storing means on the basis of a discriminationresult of the discriminating means.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an imagetransmission apparatus capable of properly transmitting a plurality ofcontinuous still images while the time base is being converted.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aninformation processing apparatus having a new and improved function oran information processing apparatus for an image or the like.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the detailed description of thepreferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of an image transmission apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1B-1, 1B-2, 1B-3, and 1B-4 comprise a block diagram showing anarrangement of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing data transmitted by the apparatus shownin FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing memory addresses of memories 213 to215 and 250; and

FIGS. 4 to 11 are flow charts for explaining the operation of a controlcircuit shown in FIG. 1A, in which

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the basic operation thereof,

FIGS. 5A, 5A-1, 5A-2, 5A-3, and FIGS. 5B, 5B-1, 5B-2, and 5B-3 are flowcharts for explaining an initial operation routine,

FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B, and 6C comprise a flow chart for explaining areproduction routine,

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a recording routine,

FIGS. 8, 8A, 8B, and 8C comprise a flow chart for explaining a TX(transmission) routine,

FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D comprise a flow chart for explaining areceiving routine,

FIGS. 10A, 10A-1; 10A-2, 10A-3, and FIGS. 10B, 10B-1, 10B-2, 10B-3, and10B-4 are flow charts for explaining interrupt processing performedwhile the flows in FIGS. 8 and 9 are executed, and

FIGS. 11, 11A and 11B comprise a flow chart for explaining a tracknumber setting routine executed when a track number is to be programmed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following preferred embodiment will exemplify a transmissionapparatus in which still image information recorded in a magnetic sheetis reproduced, color balance of the reproduced still image informationis adjusted, the resultant information is transmitted to a destinationapparatus, and information sent back from this destination apparatus canbe received and recorded in the magnetic sheet.

FIG. 1A is a front view of an image transmission apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a block diagramshowing a detailed arrangement of the apparatus.

(Arrangement of Image Transmission Apparatus)

Referring to FIG. 1A, a POWER switch 1 is arranged at the lower leftcorner of the front panel of the apparatus. A video floppy slot 2 isformed above the POWER switch 1 in the front panel. A video floppyhaving a magnetic sheet is inserted in the video floppy slot 2. Amonitor display 3 is arranged substantially at the central portion ofthe front panel. An AUTO TX switch 4 is arranged at a lower left portionof the front panel to select an automatic reproduction/transmission modefor automatically reproducing a plurality of still images andsequentially transmitting the still images frozen (written) in thememory. The switch 4 is constituted by a self-illuminating switchincluding an LED L17 which is turned on when the switch 4 is turned on.A START switch 32 is arranged at the upper right portion of the frontpanel and is designed to start automatic reproduction/transmission.

However, in this case, a track number must be input using a program.Otherwise, even if the START switch 32 is turned on, automatictransmission is not started. A track number setting circuit 255 (to bedescribed in detail later) is arranged to set a track number by using aprogram.

A 2-digit, 7-segment LED 5 is arranged to the right of the monitordisplay 3 and displays a track number, the number of empty tracks, andother display contents. An eject (EJECT) switch 7 is arranged rightabove the AUTO TX switch 4 to eject the video floppy disk through theslot 2. An AUTO RX REC switch 8 is arranged to the left of the AUTO TXswitch 4 to perform automatic receiving/recording. The switch 8 isformed integrally with an LED L16. A REC switch 9 is arranged betweenthe AUTO TX and AUTO RX REC switches 4 and 8 to record information inthe magnetic sheet. If information can be recorded in the recordingmode, i.e., a track accessed by a head 205 (to be described in detaillater) is an empty or unrecorded track, an LED L18 arranged integrallywith the REC switch 9 is turned on.

Source selection switches comprising a VF (Video Floppy) switch 10, anNTSC switch 11, and a MEMORY switch 12 are arranged below the monitordisplay 3. The VF switch 10 is designed to switch a signal source to bereproduced on the monitor display 3 to a VF side. Upon depression of theVF switch 10, a reproduction mode is set such that information isreproduced from the video floppy disk. The VF switch 10 is formedintegrally with an LED L5 which is turned on when the switch 10 isturned on. The NTSC switch 11 switches the signal source to bereproduced on the monitor display 3 to an external input NTSC signalside. Upon depression of the NTSC switch 11, an external input can bevisually observed on the monitor display 3 with an EE. The NTSC switch11 is arranged integrally with an LED 16 which is turned on when theswitch 11 is turned on. The MEMORY switch 12 switches the signal sourceto be reproduced on the monitor display 3 to a reproduction image storedin a built-in frame memory (to be described later). The MEMORY switch 12is arranged integrally with an LED L7 which is turned upon operation ofthe switch 12.

When an external input or a built-in frame memory is selected as asignal source to be reproduced on the monitor display 3, the apparatusis automatically set in the recording mode to determine whether thetrack accessed by the head is an empty track. If so, the LED L18 isturned on to signal to the operator that information can be recorded.However, if the accessed track is a full track, the LED L18 is turnedoff to signal to the operator that recording cannot be performed.Therefore, the user or operator can know that the image displayed on themonitor display can be recorded or not on the magnetic sheet.

Track number switches comprising track UP and DOWN switches 19 and 20are arranged below the 7-segment LED 5. The switch 19 shifts the head inthe inner direction of the magnetic sheet, i.e., in a direction wherethe track number of the magnetic sheet is increased. The switch 20shifts the head in the outer direction of the magnetic sheet, i.e., in adirection where the track number of the magnetic sheet is decreased.

A MEM LOCK (memory lock) switch 23 is located to the right of the7-segment LED 5 and is arranged to prevent erasure of the contents ofthe frame memory. In the memory lock mode, the switch 23 and an LED L13arranged integrally therewith are turned on. However, in the memory lockrelease mode, the switch 23 and the LED L13 are turned off.

Single color setting switches 24, 25, 26, and 27 are arranged in line atthe lower left portion of the front panel. The switches 24 to 27 areused to set single colors, i.e., red (R), green (G), blue (B), and black(Bk) components, in both modes of the TX monitor mode. LEDs L1, L2, L3,and L4 are respectively arranged integrally with the switches 24 to 27and are selectively turned on or blink according to sequences to bedescribed later. The switches and the corresponding LEDs are used toindicate which of the above-mentioned four color components is displayedwhen a signal from the frame memory is reproduced and displayed on themonitor display 3. In addition, these switches and the correspondingLEDs are used as display means for representing that the color displaymode is set. More specifically, a signal is read out from one of an Rmemory 213, a G memory 214, and a B memory 215, and the single colordisplay mode is set. Moreover, the LEDs L1, L2, L3, and L4 are used asmeans for indicating transmission/reception states, i.e., acorrespondence between the currently transmitted or received signal andthe memory.

A FRAME/FIELD switch 28 is arranged to the right of the track UP switch19 and is operated synchronously with an LED L8 to switch between thefield and frame modes in the freezing operation. The LED L8 is turned on(ON) in response to an ID signal derived from the image signalreproduced from the video floppy disk when the image signal is frozen inresponse to a frame signal. However, the LED L8 is turned off (OFF) whenthe image signal is frozen in response to a field signal.

A TX (transmission) mode switch 29 is arranged at the upper rightportion of the front panel to set a TX mode and is synchronouslyoperated with an LED L14 for indicating that the TX mode is set uponoperation of the switch 29. An RX (receiving) mode switch 30 is locatedto the right of the TX mode switch 29 to set an RX mode. An LED L15 isarranged integrally with the switch 30 to indicate that the receivingmode is set upon operation of the switch 30.

The START switch 32 is located below the TX mode switch 29 to start atransmission operation. A STOP switch 33 is located to the right of theSTART switch 32 to interrupt the transmission.

A RESOLUTION switch 34 is arranged below the START switch 32 to selectthe frame or field transmission mode as the transmission mode.

A FREEZE switch 35 is located to the left of the TX switch 29 to freezethe image signal in a memory (to be described later). A COLOR MODEswitch 37 is located to the right of the RESOLUTION switch 34 to selectone of the four TX modes: a two-color TX mode for transmitting the Gcomponent of the image signal and then the B and R components thereof inthe order named; a three-color TX mode for sequentially transmitting theR, G, and B components in the order named; a four-color TX mode forsequentially transmitting the R, G, B, and Bk components in the ordernamed; and a monochromatic TX mode for transmitting only a monochromaticsignal Y. The switch 37 is synchronously arranged with an LED L19. Thetwo-, three-, and four-color TX modes, and the monochromatic TX mode arecyclically changed whenever the switch 37 is depressed.

LEDs L9, L10, L11, and L12 respectively serve as two-, three- andfour-color TX mode LEDs and a monochromatic TX mode LED, each of whichis turned on upon operation of the COLOR MODE switch 37 or in theautomatic RX mode when a function switch 42 is set in the TX/RXposition.

The COLOR MODE switch 37 serves as a monitor display mode switchingfunction when the function switch 42 is set in the MONITOR position.

The function switch 42 serves as a switch for setting a TX mode usingthe COLOR MODE switch 37 or a TX/RX MONITOR switching switch for settinga monitor display mode, as is apparent from the above description.

A switch 43 is located between the switches 28 and 24 and sets adestination memory area of an odd- or even-numbered line in which theimage signal is frozen upon selection of the field mode by theFIELD/FRAME switch 28.

FIGS. 1B-1, 1B-2, 1B-3, and 1B-4 comprise block diagram showing aninternal arrangement of the image transmission apparatus of thisembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1B-1, 1B-2, 1B-3, and 1B-4, the image transmissionapparatus includes a control circuit 100 as a principal circuit. Adisk-like magnetic sheet 201 is inserted in the video floppy slot 2 andis subjected to image signal recording or reproduction. In thisembodiment, concentric tracks 50 are formed on the magnetic sheet. Aone-field image signal can be recorded in each track.

A motor 202 drives the magnetic sheet 201 at a predetermined speed(3,600 rpm in the NTSC scheme) synchronized with a vertical sync signalof the image signal.

A head 205 is supported by a head carriage 203. Upon operation of a stepmotor 204, a position of the magnetic sheet 201 accessed by the head 205supported by the head carriage 203 can be controlled. In thisembodiment, the head 205 is used in both reproduction and recordingmodes. A driver 206 is connected to the step motor 204 to drive the stepmotor 204. A drive signal for the step motor 204 is generated on thebasis of a control signal from the control circuit 100. The controlcircuit 100 is operated to change an access position of the head 205 onthe magnetic sheet 201 upon operation of the track UP or DOWN switch 19or 20 or to supply the control signal to the driver 206 when a trackrecording state detection operation (to be described later) isperformed. A reproduction process circuit 207 is connected betweenswitches SW1 and SW2 to perform processing such as preamplification,clamping, or the like of the output reproduced from the track on themagnetic sheet 201 accessed by the head 205.

A level detection circuit 208 is connected between the switch SW1 andthe control circuit 100. The detection circuit 208 detects whether animage signal is recorded in the track of the magnetic sheet 201 which isaccessed by the head 205. When the head 205 accesses the magnetic sheet201 and a signal is recorded on the accessed track, the output from thehead 205 exceeds a predetermined output level. Otherwise, the level ofthe output reproduced from the head 205 is less than the predeterminedlevel. In this manner, the level detection circuit 208 detects a full orempty track by detecting the output level of the head 205. An RGB matrixcircuit 209 is selectively connected to the reproduction process circuit207 or a decoder 222 to receive a processed signal therefrom. The RGBmatrix circuit 209 then separates the processed signal into the R, G,and B components.

The output signal lines of the RGB matrix circuit 209 are respectivelyconnected to A/D converters 210, 211, and 212. The A/D converters 210,211, and 212 convert analog R, G, and B components into digital R, G,and B signals.

The outputs of the A/D converters 210, 211, and 212 are respectivelyconnected to inputs of R, G, and B memories 213, 214, and 215. TheA/D-converted R, G, and B components are respectively stored in the R,G, and B memories 213, 214, and 215. Each memory stores a one-framecolor signal. The memories 213, 214, and 215 also serve as memories forstoring the transmitted image signal. A Bk (black) memory 250 isarranged for the four-color TX mode. The R, G, B, and Bk memories 213,214, 215, and 250 are controlled by a memory controller 223 throughcontrol lines 230.

The outputs of the R, G, and B memories 213, 214, and 215 arerespectively connected to D/A converters 216, 217, and 218. The D/Aconverters 216,217, and 218 receive the digital R, G, and B signals fromthe R, G, and B memories 213, 214, and 215 through a switch SW5 andconvert them into analog R, G, and B signals. The outputs of the D/Aconverters 216, 217, and 218 are connected to a color difference matrixcircuit 219. The color matrix circuit 219 processes the R, G, and Bcomponents into color difference signals R-Y and B-Y, and a luminancesignal Y. An encoder 220 modulates the color difference signals R-Y andB-Y and the luminance signal Y from the color difference matrix circuit219 through a switch SW3 and supplies a standard NTSC television signalto the monitor display 3.

The decoder 222 receives an external standard NTSC television signalthrough an external input terminal 221 and decodes it to output colordifference signals R-Y and B-Y and a luminance signal Y. The memorycontroller 223 controls read/write access of the R, G, B, and Bkmemories 213, 214, 215, and 250, as described above. Moreover, thememory controller 223 controls write access for writing outputs from anA/D converter 224 in the R, G, B, and Bk memories 213, 214, 215, and 250and read access for reading out the signals from the R, G, and Bmemories 213, 214, and 215 and supplying the readout signals to a D/Aconverter 226. Furthermore, the controller 223 calculates the Bk (black)component.

A modulated signal i.e., the modulated signals received as time-serialR, G, and B signals, received through a telephone line 231 is decoded bya demodulator 225. The output of the demodulator 225 is connected to theA/D converter 224 controlled by the memory controller 223. The outputfrom the demodulator 225 is converted by the A/D converter 224 intodigital signals, and the digital signals are stored in the R, G, B, andBk memories 213, 214, 215, and 250 through the memory controller 223.

As described above, the memory controller 223 controls the read accessof the R, G, B, and Bk memories 213, 214, 215, and 250. The readoutsignals are converted by the D/A converter 226 into analog signals.These analog signals are modulated into a standard NTSC televisionsignal and are sent out through the telephone line 231 by a modulator227.

The conversion rate of the A/D converter 224 is smaller than that ofeach of the A/D converters 210, 211, and 212, and the conversion rate ofthe D/A converter 226 is smaller than that of each of the converters216, 217, and 218. Higher conversion rates are required for the A/Dconverters 210, 211, and 212 and the D/A converters 216, 217, and 218since read/write access of the memories 213, 214, and 215 must becompleted within a one-field period of the standard television signal.However, only lower video conversion rates are required for the A/Dconverter 224 and D/A converter 226 since read/write access of thememories 213, 214, and 215 can be completed within a few minutes throughthe telephone lines having a narrow bandwidth.

A reception detection circuit 228 is connected to the inputs of thedemodulator 225 and the modulator 227. The reception detection circuit228 detects a ringing signal (corresponding to a ringing tone from atelephone set) sent prior to transmission of the video signal throughthe telephone line 231 and generates a reception command signal.

As described with reference to FIG. 1A, the monitor display 3 displaysthe standard television signal input through a color killer circuit 256.

A magnetic sheet detection circuit 232 is designed to detect thepresence/absence of the magnetic sheet 201 on the basis of signals fromphotointerrupters 232-A and 232-B. If the magnetic sheet 201 is presentbetween the photointerrupters 232-A and 232-B, the optical paththerebetween is shielded. Otherwise, the optical path is not shielded.The magnetic sheet detection circuit 232 detects a difference betweenthe outputs from the photointerrupters 232-A and 232-B and sends adetection result to the control circuit 100.

The input of a recording process circuit 233 is connected to a switchSW4 to receive the signals. The process circuit 233 modulates the inputsignals and sends the modulated signal to the head 205.

A display circuit 235 is connected to the control circuit 100 and isdriven in response to an output therefrom. The dislay circuit 235controls the LEDs L1 to L19 and the 7-segment LED 5. For example,numerical values representing an automatic RX disable state and thenumber of remaining recordable frames in the automatic RX mode aredisplayed on the 7-segment LED 5.

A motor drive circuit 236 is connected to the control circuit 100 sothat the ON/OFF state of the drive circuit 236 is controlled in responseto a control signal from the control circuit 100.

The input of an ID signal detection circuit 251 is commonly connected tothe input of the level detection circuit 208 and detects an ID signalfrequency-superposed on the image signal reproduced from the magneticsheet 201. The ID signal is input to the control circuit 100.

The input of an interrupt counter 253 is connected to the reset port ofthe control circuit 100 and the output of the interrupt counter 253 isconnected to the IRQ port thereof to cause the control circuit 100 toexecute interrupt processing.

A track number setting circuit 255 is connected to the control circuit100 to program a track number for automatic TX. The track number settingcircuit 255 includes UP and DOWN switches 263 and 264 for shifting thehead inward and outward, respectively, a setting switch 260 forrendering the track number setting circuit 255 operative, a switch 261for causing the control circuit 100 to fetch a track number of interestin the transmission mode, and an end switch 262 for terminating a tracknumber setting operation.

The color killer circuit 256 causes the monitor display 3 to performmonochromatic display on the basis of only the luminance signal in themonochromatic or single color display mode. The ON/OFF operation of thecolor killer circuit is controlled by the control circuit 100.

The switch SW1 connects the head 205 to the reproduction process circuit207 in the reproduction mode and the head 205 to the recording processcircuit 233 in the recording mode.

The switch SW2 connects the decoder 222 to the switch SW3 when the imagesignal input through the external input terminal 221 is output to themonitor display 3. The switch SW2 connects the reproduction processcircuit 207 to the switch SW3 when the image signal reproduced from themagnetic sheet 201 is output to the monitor display 3.

The switch SW3 causes the switch SW2 to select the encoder 220 when theimage signal reproduced from the magnetic sheet 201 or the image signalinput through the external input terminal 221 is output to the monitordisplay 3. The switch SW3 connects the color difference matrix circuit219 to the encoder 220 when the image signal stored in the R, G, B, andBK memories 213, 214, 215, and 250 is output to the monitor display 3.

The switch SW4 connects the color difference matrix circuit 219 to therecording process circuit 233 when the image signal stored in the R, G,and B memories 213, 214, and 215 is recorded in the magnetic sheet 201.The switch SW4 connects the decoder 222 to the recording process circuit233 when the image signal input through the external input terminal 221is recorded in the magnetic sheet 201.

The switch SW5 controls which signals read-out from the R, G, B, and Bkmemories 213, 214, 215, and 250 are sent to which D/A converters 216 to218. The detailed operations of the switch SW5 will be described later.

The operating states of the switches SW1 to SW5 are controlled by thecontrol circuit 100.

(Format of Transmission Data)

The format of data transmitted by the apparatus of this embodiment willbe described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a still image transmission data waveform according to thisembodiment. The transmission data is subject to read/write access usingthe color signal memories 213, 214, 215, and 250 shown in FIG. 1B. FIG.2 shows a data waveform of one of the colors. The abscissa in FIG. 2represents the time base, and the ordinate therein represents thetransmission data level. Numbers written along the abscissa representmemory addresses corresponding to the transmission data. The dataconsists of a 3H synchronism portion (1H represents a period requiredfor transmitting one horizontal line of the frame), a 2H white levelportion, a 1H data portion including tramission data, a reproduction IDdata, a 1H blank portion, and a (YE-6)H image portion.

The synchronism portion is inserted to indicate an end of a line in theimage signal portion due to the H period (the 0th to XEth dots of oneline of the memory are read out for 1H wherein the 0th to 4th dots areset at white level and the 5th to XEth dots are set at black level). Thewhite level portion corresponds to the white level of the image portionand serves to correct changes in transmission level caused by thetransmission line conditions. The period of the synchronism and whitelevel portions may be set as long as, e.g., 10 seconds in theabove-mentioned data waveform.

The transmission data in the data portion comprises data (bit 0)representing the frame or field transmission mode, data (bits 1 and 2)for identifying a transmission color mode (monochromatic, single, color,two-color, three-color and four-color modes), data (bit 3) representingthe normal or single color transmission mode, a code (bits 4 and 5)representing a swith at which a color in the single color mode is set,and 2- to 6-byte information data (to be referred to as ID datahereinafter) associated with each frequency-multiplexed still imagerecorded in the floppy disk. Bits 1 and 2 in the single colortransmission mode constitute data representing which color mode is setbefore the single color transmission mode is set.

The ID data includes photographing data, photographing time data, datarepresenting frame or field recording, and data representing the even-or odd-numbered field if frame recording is performed.

The data format is determined by the following bit allocation (1st bytefor transmission mode and 2nd to 6th bytes for ID data).

    __________________________________________________________________________           Bit 0  0 →                                                                       Field transmission                                                             mode                                                                      1 →                                                                       Frame transmission                                                             mode                                                                    Bit 1                                                                              Bit 2                                                                            Bit 3      Bit 4                                                                            Bit 5                                              Bit 1˜5                                                                        0  0  0 → Monochromatic                                                                 x  x                                                                 transmission mode                                       One Byte      0  1  0 → Two- color                                                                    x  x                                                                 transmission mode                                                     1  0  0 → Three-color                                                                   x  x                                                                 transmission mode                                                     1  1  0 → Four-color                                                                    x  x                                                  Bit            transmission mode                                               6 and 7                     Switch                                                  x  x  1 → Single color                                                                  0  0 → 24                                       unused         transmission mode                                                                     0  1 → 25                                                              0  0 → 26                                                              0  1 → 27                               __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________            Bit 8   0 → Field recording                                                   1 → Frame recording                                             Bit 9 . . . Field information if bit 8 represents frame                       recording                                                                             0 → Field recording                                    Two Bytes                                                                                    1 → Frame recording                                             Bits                                                                           10˜15 . . . Track numbers (1˜50) to be paired in                 frame recording                                                               Three bytes . . . Image track number                                          Four bytes . . . Photographing year (Two-digit BCD consisting of              unit's                                                                                place of lower four bits and ten's place of upper four                                              bits)                                           Five bytes . . . Photographing month (Two-digit BCD consisting of             unit's                                                                                place of lower four bits and ten's place of upper four                                              bits)                                           Six bytes . . . Photographing day (Two-digit BCD consisting of                unit's                                                                                place of lower four bits and ten's place of upper four                                              bit)                                    __________________________________________________________________________

When the above data is to be transmitted, logic "1" represents an "FF"level and logic "0" represents a "00" level. For example, 2 dots of theplurality of dots X in FIG. 3 represent one bit.

The 1H blank portion is formatted to accurately detect the beginning ofdata of the image signal.

FIG. 3 is a two-dimensional data array of data in the image portion.Each of the memories 213 to 215 and 250 has the above array. Dots X=0 toXE are given in the horizontal direction, and lines Y=7 to YE excludinglines Y=0 to 7 for the synchronism, white level, data, and blankportions are given in the vertical direction. Therefore, a total numberof dots of the array is (XE+1)×(YE-6).

(Operation of Embodiment)

The operation of the embodiment described above will be described withreference to flow charts. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a basicoperation of the embodiment.

(Initialization Routine)

When the power switch 1 is turned on, the control circuit 100 performsvarious initialization operations in step 4-1. More specifically, thecontrol circuit 100 clears a memory lock flag MLF for determiningwhether memory freezing is inhibited. In this state, the image signalcan be written (frozen) in the memories in FIG. 1B-2. The controlcircuit 100 sets an initialize request flag IRQFL for determiningwhether the track recordable state must be detected. In addition, thecontrol circuit 100 sets an interrupt mask IRQMSK for inhibiting theinterrupt operation to obtain a data transmission/reception timing,thereby inhibiting interrupt processing.

The transmission mode number is set to be "1", i.e., the two-colortransmission mode. The transmission mode is set as thetransmission/reception mode. In this state, the automatictransmission/reception mode is not set.

The memory lock flag MLF is reset and the memory lock state iscancelled.

The monitor mode number is set to be "0", i.e., the color monitor modeis set. If the function switch is set in the TX/RS position, the LEDsL1, L2, L9, and L19 are turned on. However, if the function switch isset in the MONITOR position, the LEDs L1, L2, L3, and L19 are turnedoff.

The reproduction mode is set in initial setting, and thus the LED L5 isturned on.

The FIELD/FRAME LED L8 is turned off, and thus the field mode is set.

When the above initialization routine is completed, the control circuit100 performs an initial operation routine in step 4-2. When the controlcircuit 100 checks the recording/reproduction and transmission/receptionenable state, the flow advances to step 4-3. If the control circuit 100determines in step 4-3 that the reproduction mode is set, the flowadvances to step 4-4 and thus the reproduction routine is executed.However, if the control circuit 100 determines in step 4-3 that therecording mode is set, the flow advances to step 4-5 and the recordingroutine is executed. This mode discrimination is performed by detectinga state of the switch SW1. More specifically, if the switch SW1 is setin the A position, the reproduction mode is set. However, if the switchSW1 is set in the B position, the recording mode is set. After theoperation in step 4-4 or 4-5 is executed, the control circuit 100determines in step 4-6 whether the RX or TX mode is set. If the controlcircuit 100 determines that the TX mode is set, the flow advances tostep 4-7 and a transmission routine is executed. However, if the controlcircuit 100 determines that the RX mode is set, the flow advances tostep 4-8 and a receiving routine is executed.

When the recording/reproduction routine and the transmission/receivingroutine are completed, the flow returns to step 4-2. The control circuit100 performs operations according to commands input from the switches.

(Initial Operation Routine)

The initial operation routine in step 4-2 will be described in detailwith reference to FIGS. 5A, 5A-1, 5A-2, 5A-3 and FIGS. 5B-1, 5B-2, 5B-3.The LEDs shown in FIG. 1A are selectively turned on according to thestates of the flags (step 5-0). The control circuit 100 determines instep 5-1 whether the magnetic sheet 201 is present, i.e., the jacket ispresent in response to an output from the magnetic sheet detectioncircuit 232. If NO in step 5-1, the initialize request flag IRQFL is setin step 5-2. The control circuit 100 waits for insertion of the magneticsheet 201 in step 5-1. However, if YES in step 5-1, the control circuit100 determines in step 5-3 whether the flag IRQFL is set. If YES in step5-3, the control circuit 100 detects all output signals from the leveldetection circuit 208 in step 5-4. These output signals representrecording states (recorded or non-recorded) of tracks 1 to be located50. The head 205 is controlled to locate above the first track. Theresultant track recording state is stored in the control circuit 100.The recording state is changed according to a change in the recordingoperation or the like. When the operation in step 5-4 is completed, theflag IRQFL is reset to "0", and numerical value "1" is displayed on the7-segment LED 5 in step 5-5.

The same operations as in the flow chart of steps 6-12 to 6-22 (to bedescribed later) are performed to freeze the signals from the firsttrack to in the memories 213 to 215 (step 5-5'). The control circuit 100then detects the state of the function switch 42. More specifically, ifthe function switch 42 is set in the MONITOR position, the flow advancesto step 5-13. However, if the function switch 42 is set in the TX/RXposition, the flow advances to step 5-6.

The following routine is executed when the function switch 42 is set inthe TX/RX position. In this case, when the COLOR MODE switch 37 isturned on (step 5-6), 1 is added to the transmission mode numberaccording to a calculation of modulo 4 (step 5-7). The transmission modenumbers are defined as follows:

0: monochromatic or single color TX mode

1: two-color TX mode

2: three-color TX mode

3: four-color TX mode

The LEDs L1 to L4 are selectively turned on according to thetransmission mode numbers. As described above, when the power switch isturned on, the two-color transmission mode is set, and thus the modenumber is 1. The relationship between the color modes and the LEDs whichare turned on are given as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Monochromatic or single color TX mode                                                                 L4, L12, L19                                          (L19 off in monochromatic TX mode)                                            Two-color TX mode       L1, L2, L9, L19                                       Three-color TX mode     L1, L2, L3, L10                                                               L19                                                   Four-color TX mode      L1, L2, L3, L4                                                                L11, L19                                              ______________________________________                                    

The ON/OFF and blinking operations of the LEDs L1 to L4 are controlledin accordance with the following sequence.

The transmission mode selection method is not only determined by thenumber of times of depression of the color mode switch but also by theoperating states of switches integrally formed with the LEDs 38 to 41.

The control circuit 100 determines in step 5-24 which switchescorresponding to the ON LEDs are turned on according to the transmissionmode. Upon this detection, the corresponding transmission mode number isset to be "0" so that the single color transmission mode is set (steps5-25 to 5-28). However, if no LEDs are turned on, the flow advances tostep 5-8.

When the function switch is set in the TX/RX position, the LEDs L9 toL12 corresponding to the respective transmission modes are selectivelyturned on. One of the switches 24 to 27 corresponding to the ON LED (ofthe LEDs L1 to L4) in response to the above operation is turned on toset the single color transmission mode (step 5-25). The LEDscorresponding to the ON switches including LED L12 and LED L4 are turnedon, and the remaining LEDs are kept off (steps 5-26 and 5-27).Therefore, the single color transmission mode is indicated.

A switch code SC corresponding to the set single color transmission modeis determined. The switch code SC corresponds to bits 4 and 5 of thetransmission data and is defined as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Switch Code SC   Switch                                                       ______________________________________                                        00               24                                                           01               25                                                           10               26                                                           11               27                                                           ______________________________________                                    

When one of the switches 10, 11, and 12 for selecting a source is turnedon, the source to be reproduced on the monitor display 3 is selected(step 5-8).

If the VF switch 10 is depressed, all the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3shown in FIGS. 1B-1, 1B-2 are set in the A positions, and at the sametime the LED L5 is turned on (the LEDs L6 and L7 are turned off) (step5-9) (the switch SW4 may be turned on/off).

If the MEMORY switch 12 is depressed, the switches SW1, SW3, and SW4 arerespectively set at the B, B, and A positions shown in FIGS. 1B-1, 1B-2and at the same time the LED L7 is turned on (the LEDs L5 and L6 areturned off) in step 5-10 (the switch SW4 may be turned on/off). Theimage signals read out from the memories 213, 214, and 215 can bereproduced on the monitor display 3 during transmission of the memoryinformation since the access speed of the memory controller 223 is veryhigh.

If the NTSC switch 11 for designating an external NTSC input is turnedon, the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 in FIGS. 1B-1, 1B-2 are respectivelyset in the B, B, A, and B positions, and at the same time the LED L6 isturned on (in this case, the LEDs L5 and L7 are turned off) in step5-11. When the external input or memories are selected as describedabove, the switch SW1 is set in the B position, and thus the recordingmode can be automatically set. Immediately prior to the operations ofthe switches, the control circuit 100 discriminates and an output fromthe level detection circuit 208 to determine whether recording can beperformed.

If the control circuit 100 determines in step 5-12 that the function key42 is set in the MONITOR position, the routine in step 5-13 and thesubsequent steps is executed. In the same manner as described in steps5-6 and 5-7, the monitor mode number is incremented by one according toa calculation of modulo 6 whenever the COLOR MODE switch 37 is turned onin steps 5-13 and 5-14. A color to be displayed on the monitor display 3is determined according to the monitor mode number. ON/OFF operations ofthe switch SW5 and the LEDs L1 to L4 and L19 are controlled according tothe set mode (step 5-15). The control sequences in the modes aredetermined as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                Memory Controlled                                                                            Operation                                                      by SW5 and Output-                                                                           of Color                                               Monitor ting to D/A Con-                                                                             Killer                                                 Mode    verters 216-218                                                                              Circuit 256                                                                              ON LED                                      ______________________________________                                        0       Memories 213-215                                                                             Disabled   L1, L2, L3,                                                                   L19                                         1       R memory 213   Enabled    L1, L19                                     2       G memory 214   Enabled    L2, L19                                     3       B memory 215   Enabled    L3, L19                                     4       Bk memory 250  Enabled    L4, L19                                     5       Memories 213-215                                                                             Enabled    L4                                          ______________________________________                                    

When the single color monitor mode is set, i.e., when one of thememories 213 to 215 and 250 is read-accessed and the readout signals arereproduced on the monitor display 3, the output from the selected memoryis selectively output to the D/A converters 216 to 218. Therefore, theoutput from the memory can be reproduced as a luminance signal, i.e., amonochromatic signal on the monitor display 3.

In the above embodiment, the monitor mode is selected upon operation ofthe switch 37. However, the operating states of the switches 24 to 27may be discriminated to select a proper mode.

If the memory lock flag is set at logic "0" (step 5-16), the controlcircuit 100 determines in step 5-17 whether an input is entered from theFREEZE switch 37. If YES in step 5-17, the freezing routine in step 5-18and the subsequent steps is executed. The control circuit 100 determinesin step 5-18 according to the ON/OFF state of the LED 18 whether theframe or field mode is set. If the control circuit 100 determines thatthe field mode is set, the image signal is frozen in the memorycorresponding to the state of the switch 43 in step 5-19 (the imagesignal of field 1 is frozen in the odd-numbered line in the frame memoryand the image signal of field 2 is frozen in the even-numbered linetherein). However, if the control circuit 100 determines that the framemode is set, the identical image signal is written in the odd- andeven-numbered lines of the frame memory in step 5-20. In step 5-23, theLED L17 is turned on.

The control circuit 100 determines in step 5-21 whether the FRAME/FIELDswitch 28 is depressed. If YES in step 5-21, the operating state of theLED L8 is inverted in step 5-22.

(Reproduction Routine)

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C comprise a detailed flow chart showing thereproduction routine. When the control circuit 100 determines in step6-1 that the memory lock button is depressed, the logic level of thememory lock flag MLF is inverted (steps 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4).

The control circuit 100 determines in step 6-5 whether the track UP orDOWN switch is operated. If the control circuit 100 determines that thetrack UP switch is operated, the flow advances to step 6-6. However, ifthe control circuit 100 determines that the track DOWN switch isoperated, the flow advances to step 6-8. The control circuit 100determines in step 6-6 whether the track number currently accessed bythe head 205 is less than 50. If YES in step 6-6, the head is driven ina direction (inward) where the track number is increased in step 6-7.The control circuit determines in step 6-8 whether the currentlyaccessed track number is larger than 1. If YES in step 6-8, the head isdriven in a direction (outward) where the track number is decreased instep 6-9. In steps 6-7 and 6-9, the current track numbers are displayedon the 7-segment LED 5.

When track traveling is completed, the monitor display 3 is switched tothe SV reproduction side in step 6-10 in the same manner as in step 5-9.If the memory lock flag MLF is set at logic "0" (step 6-11), the controlcircuit 100 determines in step 6-12 whether the output from the leveldetection circuit 208 exceeds a predetermined level, If YES in step6-12, the flow advances to the operations in step 6-13 and thesubsequent steps. However, if NO in step 6-12, the memories 213, 214,215, and 250 are erased (i.e., the contents are replaced with the blacklevel) (step 6-25).

If necessary, the reproduction head which currently contacts themagnetic sheet may be separated therefrom, and the signal reproductionsystem may be disabled.

If the control circuit 100 determines in step 6-12 that the output fromthe level detection circuit 208 exceeds the predetermined level, the IDsignal frequency-superposed on the image signal is demodulated by the IDdetection circuit 251, thereby reproducing the ID data (step 6-13). Thecontrol circuit 100 determines in step 6-14 whether the reproduced imagedata is an odd- or even-numbered field on the basis of the ID data. Ifthe image signal is determined to be field data, the signal is writtenin the field designated by the switch 43 of the R, G, B frame memories,e.g., in an odd-numbered line if field 1 is designated and aneven-numbered line if field 2 is designated (step 6-18). The imagesignal is determined in step 6-14 to be one of the field or the frame,the head is moved by one track in the inner direction if the field isdiscriminated as the first field (step 6-15). However, if the field isdiscriminated as the second field, the head is moved by one track in theouter direction (step 6-15). This is because the image signals can befrozen in units of tracks since a single reproduction head is used. Ifan apparatus comprises a multi-head (Inline head), such head travelingis not required. If frame recording is to be performed, an odd-numberedfield signal may be recorded in a track having a smaller track number,and an even-numbered field signal may be recorded in an adjacent trackhaving a larger track number. When head traveling in step 6-15 iscompleted, the control circuit 100 detects the output from the leveldetection circuit 208 (step 6-16). If the level of the output from thelevel detection circuit 208 exceeds a predetermined level, the ID datais reproduced (step 6-19). The control circuit 100 determines in step6-20 whether the currently reproduced field signal is paired with thefield signal reproduced in step 6-15. If YES in step 6-20, the imagesignal reproduced by the head 205 is frozen at the address correspondingto the field, the head is returned to the home track position, and theabove-mentioned field signal is frozen again (step 6-21).

If only one field of the image signals constituting the frame isrecorded in steps 6-10 and 6-20, the reproduction head is returned tothe home track position (step 6-17), and the other field is obtained bymean value interpolation of the upper and lower lines in a non-frozenarea of the frame memory, thereby freezing the interpolated information(step 6-18) and hence obtaining frame data (step 6-22). As compared withframing wherein an input in step 6-20 is an SV reproduced image, ahigh-quality frame image can be obtained.

At this point, freezing in the frame or field mode of the reproducedimage signal has been performed, and the switch is operated to supplythe memory reproduced signals to the monitor display. More particularly,the same operation as in step 5-10 is performed in step 6-23. The frameor field of the reproduced image is displayed using the LED L8 on thebasis of the ID data reproduced in step 6-24. In this case, if the imagesignal to be frozen is the frame image signal, the LED L8 is turned on.Otherwise, the LED L8 is turned off.

(Recording Routine)

The recording routine in step 4-5 in FIG. 4 will be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the recording routine. When the controlcircuit 100 detects in step 4-3 that the switch SW1 is set in the Bposition, i.e., the control circuit 100 detects that the switches 11 and12 are turned on, the recording routine is initiated.

The presence or absence of unrecorded or blank tracks of the magneticsheet 201 is detected in step 7-1. If unrecorded tracks are not present,"FF" is displayed on the 7-segment LED 5, thus performing warningdisplay (step 7-7). However, if unrecorded tracks are present, theoutput of the level detection circuit is checked (step 7-2) and the LEDL18 is turned on (step 7-3), thus indicating that recording can beperformed. In this step, the switch SW1 is temporarily set in the Aposition.

When the recording switch SW9 is depressed while the LED L18 is beingturned on (step 7-4), a recording operation of a memory or NTSC externalsource excluding the video floppy disks set in steps 5-10 and 5-11 isperformed on the magnetic sheet 201 (step 7-5). If other unrecordedtracks are not present (step 7-6), recording can no longer be performedand the warning display of "disc full" is performed (step 7-7). Ifunrecorded tracks are present, the head is automatically accessed to thenext unrecorded track (step 7-8).

(TX Routine)

The TX routine in step 4-7 in FIG. 4 will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C comprise a detailed flow chart of theTX routine. In this embodiment, track feeding is performed even duringtransmission/reception by using an interrupt command. Therefore, theimage reproduced from the magnetic sheet can be observed on the monitordisplay.

The LED L14 is turned on and the LED L15 is turned off to set thetransmission mode in step 8-0. The control circuit 100 determines instep 8-1 whether the auto TX mode is set. If the control circuit 100determines that the manual mode is set, the LED L17 is turned off instep 8-2'. If the auto TX mode is set, the LED L17 is turned on in step8-7'.

The manual mode will first be described.

When the START switch 32 is depressed (step 8-2), the memory lock flagMLF is set (step 8-3) in order to prevent reproduction auto freezing ofthe frozen still image information. The address (X,Y) of thetransmission data is reset to (0,0) (step 8-4), and the flag TXFLGrepresenting that the information is being transmitted is set (step8-5). The interrupt mask is reset to zero, and thus the interruptcommand generated for every data interval can be accepted. Transmissionis initiated in response to the next output of the interrupt counter253. A variable j representing the order of the transmission mode colordetermined by the transmission mode number is reset to an initial value,i.e., 0 (step 8-6').

In the auto TX mode, the control circuit 100 checks in step 8-7 thestatus of the flag ATXFLG representing whether the auto TX mode is set.If the auto TX mode is set, the flow advances to the next step. The flagATXFLG is set to be logic "1" when the track number to be transmitted isset by the track number setting circuit 255 shown in FIG. 1B prior toactual transmission. However, if the flag ATXFLG is set to be logic "0",the auto TX mode cannot be set and the flow advances to the track numbersetting routine in step 8-24 (a detail thereof is shown in FIG. 11).

(Track Number Setting Routine)

The track number setting routine executed in step 8-24 will be describedin detail with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. FIGS. 11A and 11Bcomprise a detailed flow chart of the track number setting routine.

When the switch 260 in the track number setting circuit 255 of theremote control is depressed once (step 11-1), the set image number i iscleared to 0. At the same time, the same state as in the ON operation ofthe VF switch 10, i.e., the reproduction mode is set. The monitor modenumber is also set to be 0 (step 11-2). The control circuit 100 detectsin step 11-3 whether the track UP switch 263 in a remote control 255 isdepressed. If YES in step 11-3, the head is shifted by one track to theinner direction (step 11-4). The control circuit 100 detects in step11-5 whether the track DOWN switch 264 is depressed in the remotecontrol. If YES in step 11-5, the head 205 is shifted by one track tothe outer direction (step 11-6).

Input operations of the UP and DOWN switches 263 and 264 may be replacedwith the operations of the UP and DOWN switches 19 and 20 on the mainbody.

The control circuit 100 then determines in step 11-7 whether the switch261 for inputting the track number in the remote control is depressed.If YES in step 11-7, a variable i is incremented (step 11-8). The tracknumber of the track presently accessed by the head 205 is stored asTr(i) in the memory of the main body (step 11-9).

The loop of steps 11-3 to 11-9 is repeated until the end switch 262 isdepressed to complete the track number input in the remote control, andthe track number input operation is not ended (step 11-10).

When the end switch 262 is turned on, the value of the variable i isinput to a register N (step 11-15) and the number N of still images tobe automatically transmitted is substituted for i (step 11-15). Thecontrol circuit 100 determines in step 11-11 whether i is zero. If YESin step 11-11, the track number has not yet been set. The flag ATXFLG isreset to zero so as to cause auto TX setting (step 11-12). However, ifNO in step 11-11, the track number is set to be 1 or more. In this case,the flag ATXFLG is set to be 1 (step 11-13) and i=1 is set (step 11-14).

(Auto TX Routine)

When the track to be automatically transmitted is set in the manner asdescribed above, the flow advances to step 8-22 shown in FIGS. 8A, 8Band 8C and the subsequent steps are executed.

In step 8-8 executed when the flag ATXFLG is set, the control circuit100 determines that the flag TXFLG representing that the information isbeing transmitted is set to be "1". If the control circuit 100determines that TXFLG=1, the subsequent steps are omitted. Otherwise,the control circuit 100 determines in step 8-9 whether the START switch32 is turned on. When the START switch 32 is depressed, the memory lockflag MLF is set to inhibit automatic freezing, thereby preventingaccidental updating of the transmission data (step 8-10).

However, if the START switch 32 is not turned on, the control circuit100 checks if the variable i is set to be "1". If so, the flow advancesto step 8-22. Otherwise, the flow advances to step 8-13.

If i is larger than N, i.e., if the value is incremented upon detectionof one-frame image signal transmission in an interrupt routine (to bedescribed later) (see step 10-54 to be described later), the flowadvances from step 8-11 to step 8-13. The control circuit 100 determinesin step 8-13 whether the variable i is larger than the value set in theregister N, i.e., the number of frames to be transmitted and set in thetrack number setting routine step 8-24 has already been transmitted. IfYES in step 8-13, the flow advances to step 8-20. Otherwise, the flowadvances to step 8-14.

In step 8-20, the flag ATXFLG is reset to be "0" so as not to set theauto TX mode, and the memory lock flag MLF is reset to be "0", thuscancelling the transmission state. In this case, the flag TXFLG is alsoreset to be "0".

If the control circuit 100 determines in step 8-13 that the informationis being transmitted, the flag TXFLG is set to be "1" (step 8-14). Thetrack number Tr(i) corresponding to the value stored in the track numbersetting routine is read out according to the value of the variable i,and the control circuit 100 determines in step 8-15 whether the head islocated above the corresponding track Tr(i). If not, the head isaccessed to the track Tr(i) (step 8-16), and the reproduced image signalis frozen in the memory (step 8-17). Subsequently, the address (X,Y) isreset to (0,0) in the same manner as in the manual transmission mode(step 8-18). The interrupt mask IRQMSK is reset to be "0". In thisstate, the interrupt command can be accepted, and the interrupt routineshown in FIG. 1 can be executed (step 8-19). The variable j is reset inthe same manner as in step 8-6' (step 8-19').

When the transmission routine described above has been completed, thefollowing steps are executed to cause the LEDs described with referenceto FIG. 1A to blink according to the transmission color.

The control circuit 100 determines in step 8-22 whether the flag TXFLGis set. If YES in step 8-22, the LED (transmission mode number, j)corresponding to the color of the presently transmitted image blinks(step 8-23).

The blinking LEDs corresponding to the transmission mode number and thevariable j are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        (TX Mode No.,  j)        Blinking LED                                         ______________________________________                                        (0 (monochrome),                                                                             0)        L4 (Y)                                               (1 (two-color),                                                                              0)        L1 (G)                                               (1,            1)        L2 (R/B)                                             (2,            0)        L1 (R)                                               (2,            1)        L2 (G)                                               (2,            2)        L3 (B)                                               (3,            0)        L1 (R)                                               (3,            1)        L2 (G)                                               (3,            2)        L3 (B)                                               (3,            3)        L4 (Bk)                                              ______________________________________                                    

In the single color transmission mode, the LED corresponding to theswitch code SC blinks.

Even if these LEDs blink, the remaining LEDs selected in step 5-7 arecontinuously lit to indicate the progression of transmission.

(Receiving Routine)

The receiving routine will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D. The control circuit 100 determines in step 9-1whether the auto RX mode is set by the AUTO RX REC switch 8. If YES instep 9-1, the flow advances to step 9-14. However, if NO in step 9-1,the flow advances to step 9-2.

If the auto RX mode is not set but the manual RX mode is set, thesynchronism portion (step 9-3) and the white portion (step 9-4) aredetected upon depression of the start button in step 9-2. The whiteportion is detected and at the same time the gain can be controlled(step 9-5). Subsequently, the data portion is read to fetch the ID data(step 9-6). If the white or synchronism portion is not detected in step9-3 or 9-4 although a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the flowadvances to step 9-39. When the blank portion is detected (step 9-7),the memory lock flag MLF is set to inhibit memory freezing in thereproduction mode of the video floppy disk (step 9-8), and the dataaddress (X,Y) is initialized to (0,7) (step 9-9). This corresponds tothe fact that the image portion starts from Y address 7 shown in FIG. 3.The flag RXFLG is set (step 9-10), the interrupt counter is reset (step9-11), and the interrupt mask IRQMSK is reset (step 9-12). This allowsfetching of the image data input from the signal line upon the nextinterrupt operation. The variable j representing the order of thepresent color in the transmission color mode is reset for the firstcolor, i.e., j=0 (step 9-13).

The auto RX mode in step 9-14 and the subsequent steps will be describedbelow. In the auto RX mode, the control circuit 100 determines in step9-14 whether any unrecorded track is present in the magnetic disk. If NOin step 9-14, warning display of "FF" is performed on the 7-segment LED5 in the same manner as described above (step 9-36). In this case, theauto RX mode is not set. However, if YES in step 9-14, the controlcircuit 100 then determines in step 9-15 whether the head is locatedabove the first unrecorded track. If NO in step 9-15, the head isaccessed to the corresponding position and a recording preparation iscompleted (step 9-16). In this state, the number of remaining unrecorded(recordable) tracks is displayed on the 7-segment LED 5 (step 9-17).

The contorl circuit 100 then determines whether the image information isbeing received. More specifically, if the flag RXFLG is set at logic"0", i.e., if the non-receiving state is detected, the flow jumps tostep 9-3 and the synchronism portion is detected. If no synchronismportion appears even when a predetermined period of time has elapsed,the routine is ended.

However, if the control circuit 100 determines in step 9-18 that theimage information is being received, the data portion (i.e., thetransmission data and the ID data) has already been read in step 9-6. Inthis case, the flow advances to step 9-20.

If the data portion (FIG. 2) has already been read and the datarepresenting the frame TX mode is detected (step 9-20), a two-field area(i.e., two unrecorded tracks) is required to record the received imagesignal on the magnetic sheet 201. The control circuit 100 thendetermines in step 9-21 whether two or more unrecorded tracks arepresent. If the field TX mode and the presence of two or more unrecordedtracks are detected in step 9-20 and 9-21, the flow advances to theroutine in step 9-27 and the subsequent steps.

The above decision can be made since data representing the field orframe TX mode is sent prior to the image signal, as shown in FIG. 2.

If the flow advances to step 9-21, two or more unrecorded tracks are notpresent (i.e., only one unrecorded track is present because the presenceof the unrecorded track has already been detected in step 9-14;therefore, in this case, only one unrecorded track is present), and theframe RX mode cannot be performed due to a shortage of unrecordedtracks. In this embodiment, however, bit 8 of the ID data included inthe data portion (FIG. 2) is detected to determine whether the imagedata reproduced from the magnetic sheet 201 of the transmission side isthe image signal obtained by field recording or frame recording, and theflow advances to step 9-36 if the discrimination result represents thatthe image signal is obtained by frame recording. In step 9-36, warningdisplay of recording inhibition is performed. However, if the frameimage signal is sent by interpolating the field signals (step 6-22 inFIG. 6C) on the transmission side, the frame image signal is recorded asthe field image signal on one track.

The above sequence can be performed because the ID data is sent prior tothe image signal. Therefore, it is very effective to send the ID dataprior to the image signal.

The operations in step 9-22 and the subsequent steps will be describedbelow.

In step 9-22, bit 8 of the ID data is checked to determine whether theimage signal is obtained by frame recording. If YES in step 9-22, awarning display is performed beforehand (step 9-36), as described above.Meanwhile, the reception operation continues by the interrupt operation.Upon completion of the image signal, the presently loaded jacket havingonly one unrecorded track can be replaced with another jacket having atleast two unrecorded tracks until the next reception is accepted.

If the control circuit 100 determines in step 9-22 that the image signalis obtained by field recording, the control circuit 100 determines instep 9-23 whether the line number being presently received is largerthan j="TX mode number", i.e., the YC line number of the last one-framedata. In this case, the value YC can be determined to provide a periodlong enough to stabilize rotation control of the motor drive circuitupon rotation of the magnetic sheet 201 until the last line YE isreceived. If the condition is satisfied in step 9-23, the motor drivecircuit drives the magnetic sheet 201 (step 9-24). Upon completion ofreception (step 9-25), a one-field component in one frame, i.e., theimage signals of every other line, read out from the memories 213, 214,and 215. The flow then advances to step 9-32.

If two or more unrecorded tracks are present regardless of the fact thatthe received signal is a field or frame transmission signal, the flowdoes not advance to step 9-27. The same sequence as in steps 9-23 to9-25 is performed in steps 9-27 to 9-29.

In accordance with whether the reception mode corresponds to field orframe transmission, the flow is branched into steps 9-31 and 9-32 andsteps 9-33 and 9-34 (step 9-30). If the field TX mode is set, the imagesignals of every other line are read out from the memories 213, 214,215, and 250 until reception is completed (even in the field TX mode,the signals subjected to real-time interpolation processing areprestored in the memories 213 to 215 and 250 under the control of thememory controller 223). The image signal is recorded on one track (step9-31). In this case, the ID signal may be frequency-multiplexed with theimage signal.

When recording is completed, the number of unrecorded tracks isdecremented by one. In this case, step 9-26 also merges into step 9-32.The number of remaining unrecorded tracks is displayed on the 7-segmentLED 5 shown in FIG. 1A (step 9-32).

When reception is made in accordance with the frame TX mode, the twofields are respectively recorded on the tracks (step 9-33). In thisembodiment, since only one head 205 is used, the operations in step 9-33are performed as follows. The image signals of the first field are readout from the memories 213 to 215 and 250 and are recorded on the firsttrack. Subsequently, the head is shifted to the second unrecorded track,and the image signals of the second field are accessed from the memoriesand recorded on the second track. However, in an apparatus having anin-line head, the image signals of the two fields are read out from thememories 213 to 215 and 250 on the different tracks without shifting thehead.

When recording is completed, the number of remaining unrecorded tracksis decremented by 2 (step 9-34), and rotation of the magnetic sheet 201is stopped (step 9-35). This operation reduces wear of the head and themagnetic sheet as well as power consumption. Since reception iscompleted, the flag FXFLG is reset (step 9-37). The control circuit 100checks in step 9-38 whether the number of remaining blank tracks iszero. If YES in step 9-38, further recording cannot be performed. Theflow advances to step 9-36 to perform warning display.

When the flag RXFLG is reset to complete an image signal recordingcycle, the flow advances from step 9-18 to step 9-3 so as to execute theoperations in steps 9-1 to 9-18. The operations in step 9-3 and thesubsequent steps are performed. Therefore, the flow is jumped from step9-3 to step 9-39 until the synchronism portion is detected.

When the receiving routine is completed, the subsequent steps areexecuted to cause the LEDs in FIG. 1A to blink.

The control circuit 100 determines in step 9-39 whether the flag RXFLGis reset. If YES in step 9-39, the LED (transmission mode number, J)corresponding to the currently received color blinks (step 9-40). TheLED that corresponds to the transmission mode number and j has beendescribed in step 8-23 in FIG. 8, and a detailed description thereofwill be omitted.

Even if the LED blinks in the same manner as in transmission, the litLEDs representing the transmission mode (a monochromatic or single colortransmission mode, a two-color transmission mode, a three-colortransmission mode, or a four-color transmission mode) selected in step6-7 in FIG. 5 and the lit LEDs corresponding to the colors to bereceived are kept on.

For example, if the three-color transmission mode is set, the LED L10 isturned on. While the signals to be written in the R memory 213 are beingreceived, the LED L1 blinks and the LEDs L2 and L3 are kept on. Whilethe signals to be written in the G memory 214 are being received, theLED L2 blinks and the LEDs L1 and L3 are turned on. While the signals tobe written in the B memory 215 are being received, the LED L3 blinks andthe LEDs L1 and L2 are turned on. Therefore, the operator can visuallyrecognize the receiving state.

(Interrupt Routine)

The interrupt routine for transmitting and receiving the image signaldata will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A-1, 10A-2, 10-3, andFIGS. 10B-1, 10B-2, 10B-3, and 10B-4. The control circuit 100 determinesin step 10-1 whether the STOP switch 33 is turned on. If YES in step10-1, the flag RXFLG or TXFLG is reset to cancel transmission orreception (step 10-2). The flag IRQMSK is set to inhibit the interruptoperation (step 10-3) and the flag MLF is reset to cancel memory locking(step 10-4). If the stop input is not detected in step 10-1, theinterrupt routine is branched into step 10-6 and the subsequent steps orstep 10-38 and the subsequent steps in accordance with detectionrepresenting that the mode is the transmission or reception mode (step10-5).

If TXFLG=1, i.e., if the transmission mode is set, the number Y ofvertical lines is checked in step 10-6. If the number y falls within therange between 0 and 2, i.e., the synchronism portion is detected (FIG.2), the synchronism pattern is created on the basis of the horizontaladdress X in step 10-7 and the subsequent steps. If the address X fallswithin the range between 0 and 4, the address corresponds to the highlevel portion of the synchronism portion. Output data D(X,Y) is set tobe "FF"_(hex) (the maximum level 255 represented by 8-bit data) (step10-8). Otherwise, the data D(X,Y) is set to be "00"_(hex) (the minimumlevel 0) (step 10-9).

If the number Y is 3 or 4, this corresponds to the white level portion.All the data (X,Y) are set to be "FF" (steps 10-10 and 10-11).

If Y is 5, then it represents the data portion. The transmission dataD(X,Y) corresponding to the horizontal address X is determined accordingto the transmission mode (steps 10-12 and 10-13 and the description madewith reference to FIG. 2).

If Y is 6, then it represents the blank portion. All the data D(X,Y) areset to be "00" (steps 10-14 and 10-15).

The memory controller 223 is operated to output the data D(X,Y) ataddresses (X,Y) to the D/A converter 226 (step 10-20). When the data isoutput, the X address is incremented by one (step 10-21). If Y is 7 ormore, it corresponds to the image portion. The control circuitdiscriminates the number Y of vertical lines on the basis of thevariable j representing the present color order by the transmission modenumber and determines image signal data D(X,Y) to be output.

The following flow is executed to select the transmission field in thefield mode according to the state of the switch 43 prior to the decisionblock in step 10-16.

When the switch 43 is set for the second field, the control circuit 100determines in step 10-60 whether Y is an even number so that the data tobe transmitted comprise signals written entirely in the even-numberedlines in the lines Y of the memory. If NO in step 10-60, the value Y isincremented by one. The control circuit 100 commands in step 10-61 thateven-numbered lines are selected in step 10-27. If the first field isselected in step 10-59, the flow is initiated when Y=7 (odd number). Inconsideration of step 10-27, the operation in step 10-61 for theeven-numbered lines in the lines Y is not performed, and the flowadvances to the next step.

If the transmission mode number is "1" or "2" in step 10-16, i.e., ifthe two- or three-color mode is set, the frame memory used for datareadout is determined as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        (TX Mode No.,                                                                           j,    Vertical Line Y)                                                                             Selected Memory                                ______________________________________                                        (1,       0,    all lines)     G                                              (1,       1,    odd-numbered lines)                                                                          R                                              (1,       1,    even-numbered lines)                                                                         B                                              (2,       0,    all lines)     R                                              (2,       1,    all lines)     G                                              (2,       2,    all lines)     B                                              ______________________________________                                    

In step 10-17, the transmission data D(X,Y) is read out from each colorframe memory.

If the control circuit 100 determines in step 10-16 that thetransmission mode number is "3", i.e., the four-color mode, thetransmission data is subjected to undercolor removal and is convertedinto R, G, and B data and black data Bk, thereby generating the data bythe following calculations (step 10-19):

If j=0, then D(X,Y)=R(X,Y)-Bk(X,Y)

If j=1, then D(X,Y)=G(X,Y)-Bk(X,Y)

If j=2, then D(X,Y)=B(X,Y)=Bk(X,Y)

If j=3, then D(X,Y)=Bk(X,Y)

for Bk(X,Y)=k×min(R(X,Y), G(X,Y),B(X,Y)) where k is a predeterminedcoefficient and min represents a minimun one of R(X,Y), G(X,Y), andB(X,Y).

The control circuit 100 determines in step 10-16 that the transmissionmode number is "0", i.e., the monochromatic or single color mode. If thesingle color transmission mode flag MCLFLG is not set in step 5-27 inFIG. 5 and the single color transmission mode is not set, thetransmission data comprises only the luminance signal Y. In order toobtain such data, the following calculation is performed using the dataread out from the frame memories in step 10-18:

    D(X,Y)=0.59×G(X,Y)+0.30×R(X,Y) +0.11×B(X,Y)

where R(X,Y), G(X,Y) and B(X,Y) are respectively data at addresses (X,Y)of the memories 213 to 215. If the flag MCLFLG is set, the image signaldata D(X,Y) is determined on the basis of the switch code set in step5-28, the corresponding transmission mode, and the vertical line Y asfollows:

    ______________________________________                                        TX Mode                                                                       No. Prior                                                                     to Setting                                                                    of Switch                                                                     Code in Switch                                                                Step 5-28                                                                             Code     Vertical Line Y                                                                              Data D(X,Y)                                   ______________________________________                                        1       10       All lines      G(X,Y)                                        1       01       Odd-numbered lines                                                                           R(X,Y)                                        1       01       Even-numbered lines                                                                          B(X,Y)                                        2       00       All lines      R(X,Y)                                        2       01       All lines      G(X,Y)                                        2       10       All lines      B(X,Y)                                        3       00       All lines      R(X,Y)-Bk(X,Y)                                3       01       All lines      G(X,Y)-Bk(X,Y)                                3       10       All lines      B(X,Y)-Bk(X,Y)                                3       11       All lines      Bk(X,Y)                                       ______________________________________                                    

Wherein Bk(X,Y)=k×min(R(X,Y), G(X,Y), B(X,Y) (k is the predeterminedcoefficient and min represents a minimum one of R(X,Y), G(X,Y) andB(X,Y)).

The data D(X,Y) is set as described above. If X=0 in steps 10-55 and10-56, the data D(X,Y) is updated to "FF", i.e., the white peak level inthe image period, i.e., Y>6. If a wide black portion is present in theimage, the non-signal state continues for lines corresponding to theblack portion. This may be erroneously detected as the end oftransmission by the receiving side. Therefore, by generating at leastone white signal for every line, the above operation failure can beprevented.

The data D(X,Y) at the address (X,Y) is output to the D/A converter 226(step 10-20). When the data is output, the X address is incremented byone (step 10-21). If the incremented X address exceeds the end addressXE, X is reset (steps 10-22 and 10-23). When the horizontal address X isreset, the vertical line number Y is incremented. If Y is 6 or less,i.e., if the nonimage portion such as the synchronism portion isdetected, the value Y is incremented by only one in step 10-26. If Y is6 or more, i.e., if the image portion is detected, the control circuit100 determines in step 10-25 whether the transmission mode is the framemode. If YES in step 10-25, all vertical lines are transmitted. In thiscase, Y is incremented by only one in step 10-26. However, if the fieldmode is detected, the image signals of every other vertical line aretransmitted. In this case, Y is incremented by 2 in step 10-27.

When the Y value is incremented as described above, the control circuit100 determines in step 10-28 whether the incremented value exceeds thefinal line YE. If YES in step 10-28, transmission of the first color hasbeen completed, and thus j is incremented by one (step 10-29). As aresult, if the variable j is smaller than the transmission number (step10-30), Y is reset to 0 to continue transmission of the next colorsignal (step 10-31) (so-called "plane-sequential transmission" of thesignals). However, if the variable j is not smaller than thetransmission mode signal, the control circuit 100 determines in step10-54 whether the flag ATXFLG is set at logic "1". If YES in step 10-54,i is incremented (step 10-54).

Then, the flag TXFLG is reset (step 10-32), the flag MLF is reset tocancel memory locking (step 10-33), and the flag IRQMSK is set toinhibit the interrupt operation (step 10-34).

Interrupt processing will be described if RXFLG=1, i.e., the receivingmode is set.

As described with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D, in the recivingmode, the operations in steps 9-2 to 9-7 are executed. After the blankportion shown in FIG. 2 is detected, the address (X,Y) of the memory isinitialized to be (0,7) in step 9-9. The flag RXFLG is set (step 9-10)and the interrupt mask flag IRQMSK is reset (step 9-12).

Interrupt processing can be performed in this state in the receivingmode. More specifically, since the flag RXFLG is set at logic "1", theflow in step 10-5 is branched to step 10-38. The data is fetched fromthe A/D converter 224 in step 10-38, and the data is written in thememory (step 10-39) designated by (transmission mode number, j,y). Inthe initial operation state, Y=7.

The control cirucit 100 checks bit 3 of the received transmission datato be "0" or "1", i.e., checks whether the normal color transmissionmode (monochromatic, two-color, three-color, or four-color) or thesingle color transmission mode (R, G, B, or Bk) is set. By this decision(step 10-59), the flow is branched into step 10-39 or 10-60. The framememory is selected to store data therein according to the transmissionmode number, the variable j, and Y as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        (TX mode No.,                                                                           j,    Vertical Line) Selected Memory                                ______________________________________                                        (0(mono.),                                                                              0,    all lines)     G                                              (1(2-color)                                                                             0,    all lines)     G                                              (1,       1,    odd-numbered lines)                                                                          R                                              (1,       1,    even-numbered lines)                                                                         B                                              (2(3-color),                                                                            0,    all lines)     R                                              (2,       1,    all lines)     G                                              (2,       2,    all lines)     B                                              (3(4-color),                                                                            0,    all lines)     R                                              (3,       1,    all lines)     G                                              (3,       2,    all lines)     B                                              (3,       3,    all lines)     Bk                                             ______________________________________                                    

If bit 3 is set at logic "1", i.e., if the single color tarnsmissionmode is set, the received data D(X,Y) is written in the frame memory onthe basis of the transmission mode number, the switch code, and thevertical line Y in the transmission data (step 10-60).

The correspondence between the memories and the data is summarized asfollows:

    ______________________________________                                                Bit3, Bit4                                                                    of Data                                                               Bit1, Bit2                                                                            Portion                                                               of Data (Switch                                                               Portion Code SC)  Vertical Line Storage Memory                                ______________________________________                                        01      00        all lines     G                                             01      01        odd-numbered lines                                                                          R                                             01      01        even-numbered lines                                                                         B                                             10      00        all lines     R                                             10      01        all lines     G                                             10      10        all lines     B                                             11      00        all lines     R                                             11      01        all lines     G                                             11      10        all lines     B                                             11      11        all lines     BK                                            ______________________________________                                    

The memory is selected to receive the data as described above. When onedata is stored in such a memory, the address X is incremented (step10-40). When the incremented address X exceeds the end address XE (step10-41), the address X is reset to be zero (step 10-42). The address Y isincremented in the same manner as in steps 10-24 to 10-27 (steps 10-43to 10-46). If the incremented address Y exceeds the end address YE (step10-47), j is incremented by one to transmit the next color signal (step10-48). If the updated j is smaller than the transmission mode number(step 10-49), the value Y is reset to zero (step 10-50). However, if thej value exceeds the transmission number, the present reception cycle hasbeen completed. In this case, the flag MLF is reset to cancel memorylocking (step 10-51) and the flag IRQMSK is reset to inhibit theinterrupt operation (step 10-52).

In the two-color mode, the R and B signals are line-sequentially storedin the R and B memories 213 and 215. When the received signals are to berecorded in the magnetic sheet 201, simple access of the memories 214and 215 does not allow the color difference matrix circuit 219 to encodethe luminance signal. Therefore, interpolation must be performed usingthe adjacent lines without data in accordance with the line sequentialscheme. This operation is simultaneously performed with reception underthe control of the memory controller 223.

In the above embodiment, analog transmission is exemplified. However,the present invention is applicable to digital transmission.

In the above embodiment, only one jacket is used. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this arrangement. If an auto charger capableof arbitrarily changing a plurality of jackets is used, the number ofjackets subjected to auto RX auto recording can be increased.

In the above embodiment, the field or frame freezing mode is setaccording to the field or frame represented by the reproduced ID signal.However, a selection switch may be arranged to free a frame mode imagein the field mode.

In the above embodiment, the system has a single field head. However,the same effect as described above can be obtained in a system having anin-line frame head.

In the above embodiment, the magnetic recording medium is used as therecording medium. However, other recording media such as an erasableoptical recording medium may be used.

In the embodiment described above, the display means for displaying thekinds of color signals during transmission comprises LEDs L1 to L4 andL9 to L12, and the kinds of color signals are represented bycombinations of these LEDs. However, any special display means for eachcolor signal may be arranged. For example, the kinds of the color signalmay be displayed in characters by using a liquid crystal display device.

In the above embodiment, the display of the color signals duringtransmission as well as the display of the color signals to be suppliedto the monitor display in the monitor mode are performed using the LEDsL1 to L4. In order to achieve such a multifunctional operation, adisplay means such as a liquid crystal display device may be used todisplay characters.

In the above embodiment, as described in the columns of the format ofthe transmission data, a signal (i.e., bit 0 of the first byte) fordiscriminating the field transmission mode from the frame transmissionmode is transmitted. At the receiving side, addressing for writing theimage signals in the memories in steps 10-44 to 10-46 is controlledaccording to the determined transmission mode. Moreover, one- ortwo-track recording on the magnetic sheet is automatically controlledaccording to the field or frame transmission mode.

In the above embodiment, the data portion, the content of which isdescribed in the column of the format of the transmission data, isexternally transmitted together with the still image information.

In order to send the ID data, the content of the ID data may beconverted into a character pattern and may be superposed on the image.According to this method, the superposed image signal is degraded.However, according to the embodiment described above, the ID data andthe image signal are time-divisionally transmitted to prevent suchdegradation, In addition, the ID data is transmitted prior to the imagesignal. An effective operation is assured on the receiving side. Forexample, the received image signal can be recorded at a positioncorresponding to the track number represented by the ID data.

In the above embodiment, reproduction, storage, and readout of the datawith respect to the tracks in the magnetic sheet are performed in anorder of track numbers set in the track number setting routine shown inFIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C. However, the image signals may be automaticallyand sequentially reproduced from, recorded in, or read out from, e.g.,the first track in the inner direction of the magnetic disk withoutpresetting the track numbers.

In the above embodiment, steps 6-14 and 6-20 correspond to a means fordiscriminating the field image signal from the frame image signal, andsteps 6-18 and 6-21 correspond to a means for controlling the storagestates of the memories 213 to 215 and 250.

In the above embodiment, when frame freezing is performed using thesingle head, the head is shifted between the adjacent tracks. If anin-line head is used, such an operation need not be performed so as toachieve frame freezing.

In the above embodiment, an apparatus is exemplified in which the imagesignal recorded in the magnetic sheet is frozen in memories. However,the method described with reference to the above embodiment isapplicable to an apparatus which does not have the reproduction functionbut only the storage function.

The following effects can be obtained according to the embodimentdescribed above.

(1) Since the kind of a color signal during transmission can beindicated, appropriate procedures can be performed even if atransmission failure occurs. In addition, display of the color signalduring transmission as well as display of the color signal supplied tothe monitor display can be performed by identical LEDs, thus effectivelyperforming such a display.

(2) The operations in the transmission and reception sides areautomatically performed according to the field or frame transmissionmode or the like, and thus, manual operations need not be performed.

(3) The still image signal recorded in the recording medium and the datasignal recorded together therewith can be externally transmitted, andthus the data signal can be effectively utilized.

(4) An automatic reproduction/transmission function is provided totemporarily store the still image signal reproduced from the recordingmedium in the memories and reproducing the next image signal upontransmission of the previous image signal. The above operation isrepeated to greatly improve operability of transmission of a pluralityof still images. Moreover, the storage operation of the memory means canbe appropriately controlled according to the kinds of input imagesignals. Field or frame freezing of the frame memories as the storagemeans can be automatically controlled according to the field or frameimage signal, thereby preventing storage errors of the memory means andhence assuring good storage operations.

We claim:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising:a) reproducingmeans for reproducing an iamge signal from a medium for recording saidimage signal therein, said reproducing changing an access position withrespect to said medium; b) storage means for storing at least aone-field image signal reproduced by said reproducing means wheneversaid access position of said reproducing means is changed; and c)designating means for designating an inhibition of storage of saidstorage means when said access position of said reproducing means ischanged.
 2. An apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:d) supplyingmeans for selectively supplying to a monitor said image signal stored insaid storage means and an image signal reproduced by said reproducingmeans without going through said storage means.
 3. An apparatus of claim1, wherein said designating means includes a manual operation member fordesignating a command.
 4. An apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:e)control means for supplying said image signal stored in said storagemeans to said monitor in accordance with a storage operation of saidstorage means.
 5. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reproducingmeans includes:a) a reproduction head for changing an access positionwith respect to said medium; and b) process means for processing thesignal reproduced by said reproducing head.
 6. An apparatus of claim 1,wherein said storage means includes:a) means for discriminating a changein said access position of said reproducing means; b) a memory forstoring at least a one-field image signal reproduced by said reproducingmeans; and c) means for causing said memory to store said image signalreproduced by said reproducing means when said access position of saidreproducing means is changed.
 7. An image transmission apparatuscomprising:a) reproducing means for reproducing image information from amedium for storing a plurality of pieces of image information; b)storage means for storing at least a one-picture image informationreproduced by said reproducing means; c) transmitting means for readingout said image signal stored in said storage means and transmitting areadout image signal; d) means for indicating a transmitting operationof said transmitting means; and e) control means for operating saidreproducing means, said storage means, said indicating means, and saidtransmitting means a plurality of times in order.
 8. An apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein said reproducing means can change a reproducingposition with respect to said medium.
 9. An apparatus of claim 8,wherein said control means comprises means for changing said reproducingposition of said reproducing means every time said reproducing means isoperated.
 10. An apparatus of claim 9, further comprising change orderstorage means for storing a change order of said reproducing position ofsaid reproducing means, said change order being controlled by saidcontrol means.
 11. An apparatus of claim 10, further comprisingdesignating means for designating said change order stored in saidchange order storage means.
 12. A method of controlling imagetransmission comprising the steps of:(a) reproducing, with a reproducingmeans, image information from a medium for storing a plurality of piecesof image information; (b) storing, with a storage means, at least aone-picture image information reproduced by the reproducing means; (c)reading out, with transmitting means, the image signals stored in thestorage means and transmitting a readout image signal; (d) indicating,with an indicating means, a transmitting operation of said transmittingmeans; and (e) operating, with a control means, the reproducing means,the storage means, the indicating means, and the transmitting means aplurality of times in order.
 13. A method according to claim 12, furthercomprising the step of changing, with the reproducing means, areproducing position with respect to said medium.
 14. A method accordingto claim 13, wherein said changing step includes the step of changingsaid reproducing position of said reproducing means every time saidreproducing means is operated.
 15. A method according to claim 14,further comprising the step of storing, with a change order storagemeans, a change order of said reproducing position of said reproducingmeans, the change order being controlled by the control means.
 16. Amethod according to claim 15, further comprising the step ofdesignating, with a designating means, the change order stored in thechange order storage means.